"We simply want you to stop working for him. If he stands alone, we can punish him the sooner."
"I understand about that, of course. But how about the murder case? Do you think Sid Prale is guilty of that crime?" Farland asked.
"I do not know, I am sure. I understand that the evidence against him is damaging. But we are not awaiting the outcome of that. He may manage to have the charge against him dismissed, and we are going ahead with our plans for punishment."
"Then you want me to quit Prale so I won't be helping him work against his enemies, and not because you are afraid that, in clearing him of the murder charge, I may find something detrimental to other persons?"
"That is the idea," the masked man replied. "The murder case can take care of itself, I suppose."
"Suppose I refuse to make this deal with you?"
"In that event, we may feel called upon to detain you—and perhaps to use further violence."
"Then you might as well start!" Jim Farland cried. "For you are lying to me like blazes! It's the murder case that's worrying you, and you know it! And I know you! I've been trying to place those hands of yours and I have succeeded. Besides, you have said one or two things that have convinced me——"
The masked man gave a shriek and started toward the couch, his hands reaching out, clutching. Two of the thugs ran in from the hall.